S. Idaho farmers told to brace for water shutdown

Growers of sugar beets and potatoes in eight counties along southern Idaho's Snake River could be in jeopardy after a fish hatchery's complaint it isn't getting its fair share of water.

Idaho Department of Water Resources' director Gary Spackman signed an order Wednesday telling 2,300 water-right holders they'll have to shut down irrigation if they can't reach a compromise with Rangen Inc, a Hagerman-based fish farm.

This shut-off call for famers who pump water from deep beneath the earth comes amid a disastrous year of snowfall, at least so far, that portends a parched summer -- and scant water to sustain this rich agricultural region's demands.

Rangen's water right has priority, giving it first dibs on water over the pumpers.